Dog park set to open in Evans

EVANS — The town of Evans is currently in the process of constructing a new dog park. Located next to the Evans Town Hall, the dog park is scheduled to open to the public sometime next month.

“We hope the park will be done before the end of August,” Supervisor Keith Dash said. “Work has begun, the first post has been set and the rest of the park is staked out. In my mind’s eye, I’m hoping that we can get it done before Labor Day. I’d like to have the fence up, so people can use the park before fall.”

The dog park will contain a 150-foot-by-100-foot fenced in area, consisting of two sections: One for small dogs and one for large dogs. The park will also include obstacles and toys for the pups. There will be a gravel walkway because, as Dash put it, “Blacktop costs money,” as well. When the park is fully complete, there will be a few benches and a water faucet, in order to provide water for the dogs, the supervisor noted.

The dog park will be open daily, from dawn until dusk.

“I am very excited about this new facility, to add to the town of Evans recreational amenities,” Dash said. “This is a quality of life addition for people with dogs in our community. They now have a safe, dedicated space to exercise and socialize.”

The dog park was made possible by the donation of fencing from Lads Pet Supplies, located on Eden Evans Center Road, and Lake Shore Business and Finance Academy graduate Megan Scritchfield, who spearheaded the project last year when she served as an intern in the Town of Evans Office of Community Development. Scritchfield, along with the Evans Paw Park Advisory Committee, worked to raise funds and prepare for the park.

“The idea came at the request of a local resident who inquired about the possibility of a dog park in Evans,” said Community Development Director Lori Szewczyk. “After receiving encouragement from Supervisor Dash, we made it Megan’s project and she ran with it, far exceeding our expectations.”

“It was something Megan was very passionate about,” Dash added, “and in looking at other communities, she noticed that they had a dog park and Evans did not, and she really was the catalyst for the idea.”

In addition to having the fencing donated, the town has also received a donation from Ace Hardware in Derby for all of the concrete to set the fence posts, as well as a $100 donation for various supplies from Sam’s Lumber.

“I’ll be honest,” Dash said, “I think that when people see that their government is investing in this community at little to no cost, whether it be the [Sturgeon Point] nature trail or the dog park, they want to be part of it. I think that this is a good thing. I think that this is just the beginning. I am so excited about this.”